Special prosecutor brought in to review Hannah Fizer shooting investigation
SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney said Tuesday night a special prosecutor was assigned to review the investigation into a deadly deputy-involved shooting.
Hannah Fizer, 25, of Sedalia, was killed in the shooting after a traffic stop on June 13.
Pettis County Prosecutor Phillip Sawyer said in a news release he requested Stephen Sokoloff with the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services to look over the investigation.
Sokoloff was court-appointed to the case and will act as the prosecuting attorney until the investigation is finished, according to the release.
Sawyer said in the release that Sokoloff will offer an independent review of the investigation.
"Pettis County and families of those involved deserve the confidence to know that this matter was handled independently and competently by an individual with no ties to the jurisdiction that I serve," Sawyer said.
According to the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys website, Sokoloff became the general counsel of the department in 2017.
In February, the special prosecutor said a Fulton officer was justified in a shooting that killed 25-year-old Cody McCaulou.
The case was sent to Sawyer on Thursday. It's unclear how long it will take Sokoloff to complete his review.
State troopers said Fizer had no weapons in the car at the time of the shooting.
Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond has said the deputy who shot Fizer was placed on paid administrative. Sedalia residents have called for the deputy's name to be released but Bond has yet to release any information about the person.
